Today's Top Medical Stories for Thursday, July 24, 2014

A new study finds acetaminophen does not lessen lower back pain. Researchers in Australia studied more than 1600 people suffering from acute lower back pain. They found acetaminophen had no effect on short term pain levels, disability, sleep quality or quality of life. Doctors say the medical community needs to reevaluate using acetaminophen as the universal recommendation for lower back pain.

Checking your pulse frequently after a stroke may be the best way to prevent another stroke. German researchers say monitoring pulse is a simple and effective first step in detecting an irregular heartbeat which is a major cause of having a second stroke. Pulse screening is also recommended for people over 65 who have never had a stroke.

Pain and itch from skin lesions could be a sign of skin cancer. Researchers at the Temple School of Medicine found nearly 37 percent of cancerous skin lesions are accompanied by itching while 28 percent involve pain.